Snowball Effects

Western ski resorts aren't the only ones cheering record snowfalls this year: Water-sports companies are hoping to cash in on the resulting spring runoff.

Record snow in Arizona's White Mountains has Mild 2 Wild Rafting, which operates tours on the Salt River, starting its season nearly two weeks early this year. The company plans to bring out larger rafts that can navigate through the narrow passages that will be accessible due to...